Clerk’s Notes – December 2019

The Clerk, Cmdr Mark Leaning RN

As I write this last edition of Clerk’s Notes for 2019, the Earth hurtles silently through space on a track pre-determined by the forces of nature. The country meanwhile hurtles towards an uncertain future determined by goodness-knows-what but as the Coachmakers’ Company approaches the end of another calendar year there is a clear and unambiguous certainty that there is still over two thirds of the livery year to run.

Looking back over the first few months of this livery year Coachmakers have once more enjoyed a busy and entertaining time. You will read separate reports about various events that have occurred in other parts of this edition of Coachlines. However, one of the earliest events at an unexpectedly hot and sticky Goodwood Revival saw a number of Coachmakers gather around the Coachmaker umbrella (in blue) to enjoy a chat and a glass of vino.

Having fun at the Goodwood Revival

Well most of us did; those driving racing cars in practise and qualifying that day had to defer their alcohol intake until later. However it was worth it because Liveryman Martin Overington won the Brooklands Trophy in his Bentley 4 1/2 Blower on the Sunday of that weekend and Liveryman Simon Diffey was second in Saturday’s Glover Trophy driving a Lotus Ford 20/22.

Another popular Livery Committee event organised in October was the visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia now berthed in Leith as a floating museum and high-end event venue. Full details of the night in Britannia are contained in the event write-up but should anyone wish to travel to the Edinburgh area and stay somewhere different, close to the Britannia and managed by the same people is the Fingal, a floating boutique hotel; watch the video at this link: https://www.fingal.co.uk/

On 14th November the annual Aerospace Industry Dinner was held at Clothworkers’ Hall. Those who wish to see the photos taken please follow this link: https://philmccarthyphotography.smugmug.com/The-Worshipful-Company-of-Coachmakers-and-Harness-Makers

Additionally, those who attended the Aerospace Industry Dinner will wish to know how much was collected at the table to support the Hornchurch and Upminster Sea Cadet Unit (our affiliated unit) to purchase a replacement mini-bus. The table collections alone raised more than £1,700, with a couple of generous personal donations after the event, Gift Aid and a small top-up from the Coachmakers’ Charitable Trust Fund, a cheque for £3,000 will be presented to the Unit in the New Year; a big thank you to all who contributed.

Looking ahead to 2020, the Winter Livery Dinner will take place at Watermens’ Hall on Thursday 23rd January 2020. As I write, this event has sold out and we’ll have a full house on the night to enjoy a lovely evening in a really attractive hall.

On 19th March the Automotive Industry Dinner will be held in Drapers’ Hall and on 28th May our annual Banquet will be held at Guildhall. More details of both these events will be published in the New Year along with details of a number of Livery Committee events; please keep an eye out for the various e-mails associated with each.

Further afield, if you like the sight of sea soldiers tootling their flutes and banging their drums then on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th June 2020, the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will perform their world-famous Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade. Both performances will run from 1845 to 2015 hrs and the gates will open at 1700 hrs. Tickets are from £18 each for premium seats and bookings can be made by following this link. This facility will remain open until 6th January 2020, after which the tickets will go on public sale. All proceeds go to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity but please note that neither the Clerk nor the Assistant Clerk is involved in co-ordinating bookings for this event.

In City news the Lord Mayor and the City Corporation’s Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee send you the following update of City activity (click here).

Christmas? Baaaah humbug!

Drawing this piece to a close and wandering around the yard earlier today in an attempt to seek inspiration for an amusing note on which to end, I’m afraid the best I could do is this photograph…

The Assistant Clerk and I, along with a myriad of four-legged creatures that spend their waking hours turning our money into manure, wish you all a Happy Christmas and the best New Year possible under whatever circumstances prevail at the time: Baaah!